The Kindle Vs The Book
Modern technology has done a lot for society; mobile phones mean we communicate with friends instantly, computers let us get almost everything our hearts desire and talk to people from the other side of the world and scientists have found new ways of combating illnesses that used to be deadly.
However when it comes to something as classic as the book, is there room to improve?
The kindle and other similar electronic reading devices allow us to carry thousands of novels around that weigh less than one hardcover book. You can make notes, highlight and it can read to you. But thats it, convenient yes soulful no. It may sound slightly absurd but there's is no life or spirit or dare i say smell. Yes my complaint with this terrific gizmo is that it doesn't smell.
It may sound bizzare but a few people have agreed real books have a certain allure, be it new or second hand they give off a buzz that the kindle would only give if it was wired wrong.
Yep yer can't beat a good ole book, curled up on the coach in front of a fire, outside under a tree, being read to as a child or reading to a child although the magic mainly comes from the stories we read not the actual book, being able to focus this enchantment on a object full or colour and images certainly adds a little majesty.
I agree beth whole heartedly, you cant beat a book. And btw you arnt crazy about the smell, its scientifically proven that the reason books smell is because of a fungus which actually causes you to mildly hallucinate! Thats why older books smell more, they have more fungus!
ReplyDeleteHOWEVER.... do you have a kindle? i do and i now have over 1000 books on my computer and 33 of those are now on my kindle. Its great, i dont have to worry about damaging the pages, i dont have to lend the books out and the best thing is i dont have 10 bookcases! my computer stores them all in a neat little folder. so although you are correct nothing beats a book. Due to ease of access and the fact i dont have to carry half a dozen books on holiday i can just carry the kindle i think im going to stick with it :)